Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis occurs when someone is identified as having both a mental or emotional disorder and an alcohol or drug problem. These conditions frequently occur together. In particular, alcohol and drug problems tend to occur with depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.

The term dual diagnosis is used to describe the condition of an individual considered to be suffering from a mental illness and a substance abuse problem. There is considerable debate surrounding the appropriateness of the term being used to describe a heterogeneous group of individuals with complex needs and a varied range of problems.

The concept of dual-diagnosis can be used broadly, for example depression and alcoholism, or it can be restricted to specify severe mental illness (e.g. psychosis, schizophrenia) and substance misuse disorder (e.g. marijuana abuse), or a person who has a milder mental illness and a drug dependency, such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder and is dependent on opioids. Dual diagnosis may refer to individuals with an intellectual disability and diagnosed with a mental illness. Making a dual diagnosis in substance abusers is difficult as drug abuse often induces psychiatric symptoms, thus making it necessary to differentiate between substance induced and pre-existing mental illness.

To improve, the individual identified with a dual diagnosis must treat both conditions. First, the person must go for a period of time without using alcohol or drugs, which is referred to as detoxification. The next step is rehabilitation for the substance problem and treatment for the mental disorder. This step might include medicines, support groups and one-on-one therapy.

Q: Is there another name for dual diagnosis?

A: Dual diagnosis can also be referred to as co-occurring disorders.

Q: If a person suffers from a physical addiction as well as emotional problems, which should be treated first?

A: In an ideal situation, both issues should be treated simultaneously. For substance abuse, however, the first step in treatment must be detoxification - a period of time during which the body can cleanse itself of alcohol or drugs.

Substance abuse pairs up with psychiatric conditions. As with any illness, a person with a dual diagnosis can improve with. Most therapeutic approaches to codependency are based on the 12-step program pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and adapted by many other groups dealing with addictions—including Caron. The program stress awareness as the first step in recovery; the second step is acceptance, both of which need to occur in a supportive group setting.